Doug and I had been eagerly anticipating her arrival for 33 weeks.
We knew that something was wrong with her little body before she was born. We could see broken bones on the ultrasound. They suspected that she had Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as broken bone syndrome. We knew she would have a difficult life. Our lives, by extension, would be complicated and difficult. It didn't matter. We had waited and wished to have children our whole lives. We dreamed of the adventures daily life, holidays, family vacations, and numerous doctors visits would afford.
The instant she arrived she was whisked away into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her life was sustained by the respirator and by kind, competent, exceptional nurses and doctors. It was easy to see that she didn't have OI. After a myriad of tests. We knew she had Campomelic Dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism.
The next days were filled with a roller-coaster of emotions. It seemed like her prognosis changed hourly. Doug and I spent every possible minute with her. We were only allowed to hold her in our arms twice during her short life. It was too difficult for her body.
So, we would hold her hand, stroke her head, sing to her, talk to her, and pray with her. It would fill us with awe as she would turn at the sound of our voices. She would often attempt to open her eyes. She would be able to breath room air and get the oxygen she needed when Doug and I were there. (She would still be on the respirator just no supplemental oxygen.)
Our families and a few close friends rushed to our side. Thanks to my sister Rebecca we have more than a thousand photos and a beautiful video to share.
Then, all too soon, it was time to say goodbye. She passed away in our arms 6 short days after her birth. Her tiny chest cavity was just too small for her heart and lungs to properly function.
The next week was a blur as we prepared for the funeral, and buried our little angel. It was our faith in Jesus Christ and his eternal plan that gave us the courage to get out of bed. It is still that faith that binds us together and strengthens us through the days. We have seen numerous blessings in our lives and the lives of others because of Elizabeth's brief sojourn on earth. We are so proud to have been chosen to be her parents.
Click on this link to watch Elizabeth's video.
I found your "marbles" blog by way of Pinterest and birthday party decorations. I noticed something about sending letters on balloons to your daughter Elizabeth in a post, and I ended up here. It caught my eye, because we send balloon notes to our daughter Caroline. She was stillborn after 39 weeks of a beautifully healthy pregnancy. It was completely by chance (or Divine direction) that I found your blog. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for your loss of your sweet girl, but happy you share the hope of the promise of Heaven with her one day.
ReplyDeletePraying for you as you await baby #4!!